The City of Amsterdam already introduced lighting policy 4 centuries ago. In 2023 the municipality will have 128,000 light poles and 50 light art installations. The current lighting policy was established in 2017. The main ambition is to illuminate sustainably, and also not to illuminate where it is not necessary. This presentation explains how the City of Amsterdam does this and what the challenges are. Because LED lighting is becoming more sustainable and cheaper, light pollution is also increasing. These are two biggest challenges for both the municipality and private and commercial parties. These include more wildlife-friendly lighting and reducing 'unnecessary' light pollution.
The Netherlands and the rest of the world are becoming increasingly lighter. Light has extreme effects on animals. The rhythm and reproductive capabilities of birds, bats, frogs/toads and insects, among others, can be seriously disrupted. Bats, being nocturnal animals par excellence, are particularly affected by high light levels. To protect biodiversity (of bats), nighttime light must be reduced. In addition to reducing lighting, you can also look at adjusting the spectrum of the lighting used. Most bats (and insects) see red light less well compared to humans. This presentation explains the effects and possible applications of different types of light on the activity of bats and insects. The effect of light pollution on human biology is also explained.
Images copyright: Kamiel Spoelstra
Workshop Urban Ecology & Biobased Solutions
At the Anton Pannekoek Institute, students are trained to study stars and galaxies. Light pollution makes observations increasingly difficult. Rasjied Sloot presents the consequences and possible solutions of light pollution on telescopic measurements.
Recording of the presentation:
What is human's relationship with the night or with darkness? There is a strong assumption that people associate light with safety and 'the good'. For example, the North district recently sent letters to residents announcing that they would install more lighting because this would improve safety. For example, scientific results (more light is bad) are at odds with the myth that more light is nice, safe and good. The management needs of the City of Amsterdam could also be reversed. What if Amsterdammers were to ask where there could be less light? Night walks show that people can also feel safer if there were less light in the city. Finally, light myths are also embedded in our language (e.g. seeing the light). In addition to the economic value of light, it is important to also appreciate other aesthetic, sustainable and health-related values of darkness.
The City of Amsterdam and science are occupied with light and light pollution in the city. But can you, as a resident, do anything about a city that is too illuminated? What happens in your own garden during the night? Floor Hallema talks about resident initiatives and citizen science about light in the city.
Photo of the Agrius convolvuli. It flies in a cloud of thousands at a time from Morocco to warm countries in Europe. It also appeared in the Netherlands this year.
Butterfly lamp in Amsterdam Noord:
Sustainability project.
What can the City of Amsterdam do to lighten the city less? That is a complex issue. A letter has been sent to the strategic policy advisors of the city districts. In France, for example, there are almost no lights on the highways anymore. In Belgium, public lighting is switched off between 03:00 and 05:00. In Amsterdam, consideration can also be given to switching off lighting when there are hardly any people on the street.